Stefania Reynolds
Whether it’s art, design or architecture, Stefania Reynolds finds a common thread linking all her creative projects.
Words: Hande Renshaw
A corner in Bondi House designed by Fox Johnson. Artwork by Stefania Reynolds. Photo: Dave Wheeler.
‘My favourite thing is nostalgia, thinking of the past and evoking memories from my childhood, I don’t paint from a still photo – it’s all in the mind,’ says Stefania Reynolds. Photo: George Popov.
Stefania Reynolds wears a few different design hats: architect, designer and artist. As a multi-discipinary (and very talented!) creative, she finds herself subconsciously linking all she touches, often using the same principles across her work.
‘I love to combine different disciplines, I find myself thinking of the same elements in design, whether it’s architecture or art - things such as a balance of light and dark, textures in materials, form, composition, lines and colours,’ she says.
Stefania started her creative journey painting at the age of 8 alongside her grandmother. As a teenager she went on to study art at an international school in Athens, before moving to Australia around eleven years ago. ‘I threw myself into art when I was young, painting bodies which slowly transformed into abstract art.’
Today Stefania is an associate architect at Fox Johnston, where she works on some incredibly sophisticated and elegant residential projects (one of which we featured here).
After spending many years working in interiors and architecture, Stefania has recently shifted her focus back onto painting. The return came after being inspired to work on commissioned pieces for her residential projects; instead of searching for the perfect painting or design piece such as a table or chair to fit into a space, Stefania decided to create them instead.
‘I really love interior design these days, and that’s where my mind starts to move and think – a painting of this size would look great here, or a custom piece of joinery and furniture would work too – the lines start to blur and things get combined.’
The built-in joinery designed by Stefania Reynolds at Whale Beach House. Photo: Anson Smart.
‘I tend to only work on commissions, that way a piece is designed specifically for a person, place and time.’ Photo: George Popov.
“Being true to how a house will age is important; the brass will change colour and scratch, the concrete will look different and the copper will start to turn green, but that’s part of the beauty. I love the imperfections of perfect materials.”
Whale Beach House designed by Fox Johnson featuring Rolled Together by Stefania Reynolds. Photo: Anson Smart.
The biggest influences in Stefania’s work are nature and being sensitive to the needs of the site she is designing for.
‘In architecture a lot of my ideas are derived from the location of the project, a site by the beach is calling out for different materials to one in the mountains, for example.’
Stefania branched out into furniture design when she need furniture for her small apartment, which was difficult to furnish. ‘I’ve aways loved thinking in 3D, in a way the built-in joinery we design is also a form of furniture – architects having a desire to design furniture is not an uncommon thing, as we are always thinking in 3D.’
Stefania spends all her spare time thinking about the next project, whether it be a space, a piece of furniture or an artwork, while also taking care of her 3 year old son. ‘He is my biggest priority and is hilarious – we actually paint a lot together, he’s also my art critic!’
Rolled Together by Stefania Reynolds. Photo: George Popov.
The incredible bathroom space at Whale Beach House designed by Fox Johnson. Photo: Anson Smart.
Customised table designed by Stefania Reynolds at Whale Beach House by Fox Johnson. Photo: George Popov.
The kitchen featuring Dolomite marble slabs, brass edge detail and oak stained timber joinery at Whale Beach House designed by Fox Johnson. Artwork by Antonia Perricone Mrljak. Photo: Anson Smart.